5 Ways To Cut Your Car Insurance Costs in Half

If you’re tired of paying high car insurance bills, and you’ve had the same policy for a while, it might be time to consider a policy update.

Some people spend years paying the same amount for car insurance, and they don’t realize that several factors could lower their bill.

Did you change jobs?

If you first got your car insurance policy when you had a long commute, the mileage traveled each day was calculated into your payment. Now, if you work closer to home or even work from home, you could lower the cost significantly, if you’re not traveling as much. You pose less risk if you lessen the amount of time you spend on the road.

If you’ve changed professions, it’s important to know that car insurance companies draw correlations between certain types of jobs and the level of risk. So you may be considered a higher or lower risk, depending on the industry. For example, journalists and delivery drivers are believed to be on the road more often and more likely to get into accidents. Airline pilots, however, tend to drive from their home to the airport only, so their rates tend to be lower. If you change careers, don’t underestimate the impact on your car insurance. You could be paying less.

How’s your driving?

Usually, if you’re involved in an accident that’s your fault, insurance premiums can skyrocket. This is not always the case, though. It depends on the severity of the accident and your driving history. You should know, though, if an accident that was your fault happened 3-5 years ago, it shouldn’t be a factor in determining what you pay now. It’s important to know what the laws are in your state, so you’ll be well-informed about what is—and isn’t—fair when it comes to rate increases.

Did you purchase a new car?

Your car insurance cost will depend on the type of vehicle you buy. While it’s true that newer cars may result in higher car insurance rates, you can get discounts if your new car has added safety features. Certain vehicle safety equipment that can lower your costs includes things that reduce the chances of getting in an accident. This equipment includes automatic seat belts, anti-lock brakes, driver- and passenger-side airbags, daytime running lights, and other safety features. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) will help keep your car from sliding and skidding, giving you traction in slippery conditions. Daytime running lights increase safety because they make you more visible to drivers.

Did you get married?

Studies show that married people tend to have fewer accidents than single people. If you’ve recently gotten married, especially if you’re a man with a good driving history, you can see your rates drastically reduced. While male teenagers have higher accident rates than female teens, older men tend to have better driving records. So as you age, if you’re a man, you can have your insurance costs reduced. Whether or not these studies apply to you, insurance companies often use statistics in determining what your premium will be.

Consider bundling.

If you bundle your car insurance with your home insurance, you can often get a discounted rate. Some people don’t realize this and pay separate, somewhat higher bills each month!

At Zawada Insurance Agency, we’ll help you shop around to find the best deals on car, home, and other types of insurance—including bundling, if it helps you to save more.